Meta-Lens Image Module for Thin, Light Camera Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image capturing modules require multiple optical lenses to achieve high image quality, resulting in increased thickness and weight due to the need for a stack of lenses.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing module comprising a light filter, a meta-lens layer with microstructures, and a photosensitive element, where the meta-lens layer guides light to focus on pixels without the need for optical lenses, reducing the module's thickness and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple optical lenses are used to achieve high image quality, then image quality is improved, but the thickness and weight of the image capturing module increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical optical lenses with a meta-lens layer that uses sub-wavelength structures to control light propagation. This meta-lens layer achieves optical focusing functionality through geometric phase control rather than traditional lens curvature, eliminating the need for multiple thick optical lenses and thereby reducing module weight while maintaining high image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of light control from macroscopic lens curvature to sub-wavelength structural geometry. By using meta-atoms with dimensions smaller than the wavelength of light, the system achieves precise phase control and focusing capability with a single ultra-thin layer, dramatically reducing the optical path length and module weight compared to traditional multi-lens systems
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical lenses are stacked to achieve high image quality, then image quality is improved, but the thickness of the image capturing module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes traditional stacked optical lenses with a meta-lens layer that provides equivalent or superior optical performance in a single ultra-thin plane. The meta-lens achieves focusing and image formation through geometric phase modulation across its surface, eliminating the need for multiple lens elements stacked along the optical axis and thereby dramatically reducing module thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from controlling light in the longitudinal dimension (through stacked lenses along the optical axis) to controlling light in the transverse dimension (through sub-wavelength structures arranged across the lens plane). This dimensional shift allows all optical functionality to be achieved in a single thin layer rather than requiring multiple layers stacked together, thus reducing overall module thickness
3Measurement precision
If multiple optical lenses are used, then image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical lens functions into a single meta-lens layer. By integrating focusing, aberration correction, and other optical functionalities into one unified meta-lens structure with sub-wavelength elements, the system achieves high image quality without the complexity of multiple separate lens components, simplifying the overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The meta-lens layer is designed to perform multiple optical functions simultaneously - focusing light, correcting aberrations, and controlling polarization - all within a single structural layer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized optical components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving image quality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables clear image capture with reduced lens usage, resulting in a lighter and thinner image capturing module while maintaining high image quality.
Implementation Method 1
CN 202110003486.4: The meta-lens layer includes a light transmitting film and a plurality of microstructures, and each microstructure is arranged on the light transmitting film... light can be guided by the multiple microstructures to respectively focus on the multiple pixels when the light passing through the light filter and the meta-lens layer
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing module includes a light filter, a meta-lens layer, and a photosensitive element. The light filter includes a light receiving surface and a light emitting surface opposite to each other. The meta-lens layer and the light filter are disposed side by side with each other. The meta-lens layer includes a light transmitting film and a plurality of microstructures. Each microstructure is arranged on the light transmitting film. The photosensitive element includes a photosensitive surface. The photosensitive surface faces to the meta-lens layer and the light emitting surface of the light filter, wherein the photosensitive surface has a plurality of pixels, and each pixel corresponds to each microstructure.